Smashball

ABSTRACT

The contents of this package are the rules and regulations for a new sport that I have created. The package contains all the rules and regulations of the game. This sport is going to be called Smashball in a National League environment. It n be played on either an indoors and outdoors playing surface. All that is needed is a smooth skating surface. This is a game that is extremely challenging and very enjoyable to watch as well as play.

Rule 1. Rink

The game of “Smashball” shall be played on a skating surface known asthe “RINK”.

NOTE: There shall be no markings on the playing floor except as providedunder these rules without the express written permission of the League.

Rule 2. Dimensions of Rink (a)

The official size of the rink shall be two hundred feet (200) long andeighty-five feet (85′) wide. The corners shall be rounded in the arc ofa circle with a radius of twenty-eight feet (28′). They may also be in90 degree angles.

The rink shall be surrounded by a wooden or fiberglass wall or fenceknown as the “boards” which shall extend no less than forty inches (40″)and no more than forty-eight inches (48″) above the level of the icesurface. The ideal height of the boards above the surface shall beforty-two inches (42″). Except for the official markings provided for inthese rules, the entire playing surface and the boards and the kickplate at the bottom of the board which shall be any color of choice. Anyvariations from any of the foregoing dimensions shall require officialauthorization by the National Smashball League.

(b)

The boards shall be constructed in such manner that the surface facingthe playing surface shall be smooth and free of any obstruction or anyobject that could cause injury to players.

All doors giving access to the playing surface must swing away from theplaying surface.

All glass or other types of protective screens and gear to hold them inposition shall be properly padded or protected. All equipment used tohold the glass or screens in position shall be mounted on the boards onthe side away from the playing surface.

Rule 3. Goal Posts and Nets (a)

Eleven feet (11′) from each end of the rink and in the center of a redline two inches (2″) wide drawn completely across the width of thesurface and continued vertically up the side of the boards, regulationgoal posts and nets shall be set in such manner as to remain stationaryduring the progress of a game. The goal posts shall be kept in positionby means of flexible pegs affixed in the ice or floor.

Where the length of the playing surface exceeds two hundred feet (200),the goal line and goal posts may be placed not more than fifteen feet(15′) from the end of the rink.

Rule 4. Goal Crease

The game of “Smashball” shall be played on a surface known as the“RINK”.

(a)

In front of each goal, a “GOAL CREASE” area shall be marked by a redline two inches (2″) in width.

(b)

The goal crease shall be laid out as follows: A semi-circle six feet(6″) in radius and two inches (2″) in width shall be drawn using thecenter of the goal line as the center point. In addition, an “L”-shapedmarking of five inches (5″) in length (both lines) at each front cornerwill be painted on the surface.

The location of the “L”-shaped marking is measured by drawing animaginary four foot (4′) line from the goal line to the edge of thesemi-circle. At that point, the “L” may be drawn.

(c)

The goal crease area shall include all the space outlined by the creaselines and extending vertically four feet (4) to the level of the top ofthe goal frame.

(d)

The complete goal area, which includes the crease and to the base of thegoal (to the back of the net) shall be painted any color.

Rule 5. Division of Surface (a)

The area between the two goals shall be divided into three parts bylines, twelve inches (12″) in width, and blue in color, drawn sixty feet(60) out from the goal lines, and extended completely across the rink,parallel with the goal lines, and continued vertically up the side ofthe boards.

(b)

There shall be a line, twelve inches (12″) in width and red in color,drawn completely across the rink in center ice, parallel with the goallines and continued vertically up the side of the boards, known as the“CENTER LINE”.

Rule 6. Center Spot and Circle

A circular blue spot, twelve inches (12″) in diameter, shall be markedexactly in the center of the rink; and with this spot as a center, acircle of fifteen feet (15) radius shall be marked with a blue line twoinches (2″) in width.

Rule 7. Goal Face-Off Spot (a)

In both end zones and on both sides of each goal, a red face-off spotshall be marked on the rink. The face-off spot shall be two feet (2) indiameter.

(b)

The location of the face-off spot shall be fixed in the followingmanner:

Thirty-five feet (35′) from each goal line there will be a face-offspot. Two feet (2′) in diameter. This is where the play will restart ifthe ball is thrown over the glass.

Rule 8. Players Benches (a)

Each rink shall be provided with seats or benches for the use of playersof both teams and the accommodations provided including benches anddoors shall be uniform for both teams. Such seats or benches shall haveaccommodation for at least fourteen persons of each team, and shall beplaced immediately alongside the ice as near to the center of the rinkas possible.

Each players' bench should be twenty-four feet (24′) in length and whensituated in the spectator area, they shall be separated from thespectators by a protective glass of sufficient height so as to affordthe necessary protection for the players. The players' benches shall beon the same side of the playing surface and should be separated by asubstantial distance.

(b)

No one but players, the Manager, Coach and Trainer shall be permitted tooccupy the benches so provided.

Rule 9. Signal and Timing Devices (a)

Each rink must be provided with a siren, or other suitable sound device,for the use of Timekeepers.

(b)

Each rink shall be provided with some form of electrical clock for thepurpose of keeping the spectators, players and game officials accuratelyinformed as to all time elements at all stages of the game including thetime remaining to be played in any period. Time recording for game timeshall show time remaining to be played.

(c)

Behind each goal, electrical lights shall be set up for the use of theGoal Judges. A red light will signify the scoring of a goal.

Rule 10. Composition of Team (a)

A team shall be composed of six players on the rink who shall be undercontract to the Club they represent.

(b)

Each player and each goalkeeper listed in the line-up of each team shallwear an individual identifying number at least ten inches (10″) high onthe back of his jersey.

All players of each team shall be dressed uniformly with the approveddesign and color of their helmets, jerseys, short pants, stockings andskates. Altered uniforms of any kind, i.e. Velcro inserts, over-sizedjerseys, etc. will not be permitted, unless with written permission. Anyplayer or goalkeeper not complying with this rule shall not be permittedto participate in the game.

Each Member Club shall design and wear distinctive and contrastinguniforms for their home and road games, no parts of which shall beinterchangeable except the pants.

Rule 11. Captain of Team (a)

One Captain shall be appointed by each team, and he alone shall have theprivilege of discussing with the Referee any questions relating tointerpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game.He shall wear the letter “C”, approximately three inches (3″) in heightand in contrasting color, in a conspicuous position on the left topfront of his jersey.

In addition, if the permanent Captain is not on the surface, AlternateCaptains (not more than two) shall be accorded the privileges of theCaptain. Alternate Captains shall wear the letter “A” approximatelythree inches (3″) in height and in contrasting color, in a conspicuousposition on the front of their jerseys.

-   -   NOTE: Only when the captain is not in uniform, the Coach shall        have the right to designate three Alternate Captains. This must        be done prior to the start of the game.

(b)

The Referee and official Scorer shall be advised prior to the start ofeach game, of the name of the Captain of the team and the AlternateCaptains.

(c)

Only the Captain, when invited to do so by the Referee, shall have theprivilege of discussing any point relating to the interpretation ofrules. Any Captain or player who comes off the bench and makes anyprotest or intervention with the officials for any purpose must beassessed a misconduct penalty or a game ejection.

A complaint about a penalty is NOT a matter relating to theinterpretation of the rules'.

Rule 12. Players in Uniform (a)

At the beginning of each game, the Manager or Coach of each team shalllist the players and goalkeepers who shall be eligible to play in thegame. Not more than twenty players shall be permitted.

(b)

A list of names and numbers of all eligible players must be handed tothe Referee or Official Scorer before the game, and no change shall bepermitted in the list or addition thereto shall be permitted after thecommencement of the game.

1. If a goal is scored when an ineligible player is on the surface, thegoal will be disallowed.

2. The ineligible player will be immediately removed from the game andthe club may be fined.

(c)

The Referee shall report to the Commissioner for disciplinary action anydelay in making a substitution.

Rule 16. Starting Line-Up (a)

Prior to the start of the game, at the request of the Referee, theManager or Coach of the visiting team is required to name the startingline-up to the Referee or Official Scorer.

(b)

Prior to the start of the game, the Manager or Coach of the home team,having been advised by the Official Scorer or the Referee the names ofthe starting line-up of the visiting team, shall name the startingline-up of the home team which information shall be conveyed by theOfficial Scorer or the Referee to the Coach of the visiting team.

Rule 18. Change of Players (a)

Players may be changed at any time from the players' bench provided thatthe player or players leaving the floor shall be within five feet (5′)of his players' bench and out of the play before the change is made.

If in the course of a substitution either the player entering the playor the player retiring is struck by the ball accidentally, the play willnot be stopped and no penalty will be called.

(b)

Following the stoppage of play, the visiting team shall promptly place aline-up on the ice ready for play and no substitution shall be made fromthat time until play has been resumed. The home team may then make anydesired substitution which does not result in the delay of the game.

If there is any undue delay by either team in changing lines, theReferee shall order the offending team or teams to take their positionsimmediately and not permit a line change.

-   -   NOTE: When a substitution has been made under the above rule, no        additional substitution may be made until play commences.

(c)

The Referee shall give the visiting team a reasonable amount of time tomake their change after which he shall put up his hand to indicate thatno further change shall be made by the visiting club. At this point, thehome team may change immediately.

Rule 19. Injured Players (a)

When a player is injured or compelled to leave the floor during a game,he may retire from the game and be replaced by a substitute, but playmust continue without the teams leaving the floor.

(b)

The Referee shall report to the Commissioner for disciplinary action anydelay in making a substitution.

(c)

If a player has been injured, he may proceed to the dressing roomwithout the necessity of taking a seat on the bench.

(d)

When a player is injured so that he cannot continue play or go to hisbench, the play shall not be stopped until the injured players team hassecured possession of the ball; if the players team is in possession ofthe ball at the time of injury, play shall be stopped immediately unlesshis team is in a scoring position.

-   -   NOTE: In the case where it is obvious that a player has        sustained a serious injury, the Referee and/or Linesman may stop        the play immediately.

(e)

When play has been stopped by the Referee or Linesman due to an injuredplayer, such player must be substituted for immediately. If when theattacking team has control of the ball in its attacking zone, play isstopped by reason of any injury to a player of the defending team, theface-off shall take place in the defending teams end zone face-off spot.

Rule 21. Skates (a)

All skates shall be of a design approved by the Rules Committee. Allskates worn by players and by the Referee and Linesmen shall be equippedwith an approved safety heel. When the Referee becomes aware that anyperson is wearing a skate that does not have the approved safety heel,he shall direct its replacement at the next intermission. If suchreplacement is not carried out, the Referee shall report the incident tothe Commissioner for disciplinary action.

(b)

The use of speed skates or fancy skates or any skate so designed that itmay cause injury is prohibited.

Rule 23. Protective Equipment (a)

All protective equipment, except gloves and headgear must be worn underthe uniform.

-   -   NOTE: Players violating this rule shall not be permitted to        participate in game until such equipment has been corrected or        removed.

(b)

All players of both teams shall wear a helmet with face mask of design,material and construction approved by the Rules Committee at all timeswhile participating in a game, either on the playing surface or theplayers' benches.

Rule 24. Dangerous Equipment (a)

The use of pads or protectors made of metal, or of any other materiallikely to cause injury to a player, is prohibited.

-   -   NOTE: All elbow pads which do not have a soft protective outer        covering of sponge rubber or similar material at least one-half        inch (½″) thick shall be considered dangerous equipment.

(b)

A mask or protector of a design approved by the Rules Committee is to beworn by all players.

NOTE: The Officiating Department is specifically authorized to make acheck of each teams equipment to ensure the compliance with this rule.It shall report its findings to the Commissioner for his disciplinaryaction.

Rule 25. Ball (a)

The ball is a size 3 soccer ball. The color will be decided by the hometeam

(b)

The home team shall be responsible for providing an adequate supply ofofficial balls. This supply of balls shall be kept under the control ofone of the regular Off-floor Officials or a special attendant.

Rule 29. Misconduct Penalties (a)

In the event of MISCONDUCT penalties to any players, the players shallbe ruled off the floor for a period. A substitute player is permitted toimmediately replace a player serving a misconduct penalty. A playerwhose misconduct penalty has expired shall remain in the locker roomuntil the next stoppage of play.

(b)

A misconduct penalty imposed on any player at any time may beaccompanied with a fine to the club of one hundred dollars ($100).

(c)

A GAME MISCONDUCT penalty involves the suspension of a player for thebalance of the game, but a substitute is permitted to replaceimmediately the player so removed. A player incurring a game misconductpenalty and may incur a fine to the club of two hundred dollars ($200)and the case shall be reported to the Commissioner who shall have fullpower to impose such further penalties by way of suspension or otherfines on the penalized player or any other player involved in thealtercation.

Rule 34. Calling of Penalties (a)

Should an infraction of the rules which would call for a penalty becommitted by a player of the team not in possession of the ball, theReferee will blow his whistle and impose the penalty on the offendingplayer upon completion of the play by the team in possession of theball.

(b)

The ball would be placed on the spot that the penalty occurred. It willbe handed to the team not accessed the penalty to throw in

Rule 34A. Suspensions

Whenever suspensions are imposed as a result of infractions occurringduring exhibition games, the Commissioner shall exercise his discretionin scheduling the suspensions to ensure that no team shall be short moreplayers in any regular League game than it would have been had theinfractions occurred in regular League games.

Rule 35. Appointment of Officials (a)

The arena or place where game is to be played shall appoint a Referee,two Linesmen, Game Timekeeper, Official Scorer and two Goal Judges foreach game. The league must approve of them.

(b)

The team shall forward to the league a list of Referees, Linesmen, andOff-surface Officials, all of whom must be treated with proper respectat all times during the season by all players and officials of clubs.

Rule 36. Referee (a)

The REFEREE shall have general supervision of the game and shall havefull control of all game officials and players during the game,including stoppages; and in case of any dispute, his decision shall befinal. The Referee shall remain on the floor at the conclusion of eachperiod until all players have proceeded to their dressing rooms.

(b)

All Referees and Linesmen shall be dressed in black trousers andofficial sweaters. They shall be equipped with approved whistles.

(c)

The Referee shall order the teams on the surface at the appointed timefor the beginning of a game and at the commencement of each period. Iffor any reason, there is more than fifteen minutes of delay in thecommencement of the game or any undue delay in resuming play after thefifteen-minute intervals between periods, the Referee shall state in hisreport to the league the cause of the delay and the club or clubs whichwere at fault.

(d)

It shall be his duty to see to it that all players are properly dressed,and that the approved regulation equipment is in use at all times duringthe game.

(e)

The Referee shall, before starting the game, see that the appointed GameTimekeeper, Official Scorer and Goal Judges are in their respectiveplaces and satisfy himself that the timing and signaling equipment arein order.

(f)

It shall be his duty to impose such penalties as are prescribed by therules for infractions thereof and he shall give the final decision inmatters of disputed goals. The Referee may consult with the Linesmen orGoal Judge before making his decision.

(g)

The Referee shall announce to the Official Scorer all goals legallyscored as well as penalties. The Referee shall cause to be announcedover the public address system the reason for not allowing a goal everytime the goal signal light is turned on in the course of play. Thisshall be done at the first stoppage of play regardless of any standardsignal given by the Referee when the goal signal light was put on inerror. The Referee shall report to the Official Scorer the name ornumber of the goal scorer but he shall not give any information oradvice with respect to assist.

Rule 44. Attempt to Injure (a)

A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player whodeliberately attempts to injure an Official, Manager, Player, Coach orTrainer in any manner and the circumstances shall be reported to theCommissioner for further action.

(b)

-   -   An attempt will be considered as if the injury actually        happened. It will result a game ejection. Then it would be        reviewed by league for any further investigation.

1. The sport which is described in the papers submitted consists of sixplayers on each team, playing on a rink with the dimensions of 200 feetby 85 feet.
 2. The game which is mentioned in claim one is calledSmashball.
 3. The object of the game described in claim one is to putthe ball through the opponents' net as many times as possible withinfour periods of fifteen minutes each.
 4. The game that is mentioned inclaim one, will prohibit the concept of “tackling” as found in football.It will be characterized by pushing and checking among the players. 5.The game that is mentioned in claim one, will stipulate that as soon asthe player holding the ball hits the ground, the ball will immediatelybe turned over to the opposing team.
 6. The game that is mentioned inclaim one, if there is a tie at the end of the four periods, the gamewill continue with overtime periods until the time expires in theovertime period and one team is ahead.
 7. The game that is mentioned inclaim one is to be played by using a size 3 soccer ball.
 8. The gamethat is mentioned in claim one obligates the players to wear the properpadding, head gear and inline skates as is described in the rules. 9.The game that is mentioned in claim one is to be played on a smoothskating surface, indoors or outdoors.
 10. The game that is mentioned inclaim one at the start of each period, or after scoring, the way theball is put back in play is by a face-off. The ball is set in front ofthem, as soon as the referee blows the whistle both players dive to getthe ball. The player who comes up with the ball, enables his team to getpossession of the ball.
 11. The game that is mentioned in claim one willhave three face-off circles. One which is thirty-five feet from eachgoal and one in the center of the rink. Each of the face-off circleswill be two feet in diameter.
 12. The game that is mentioned in claimone will have two goals being each one six feet by twelve feet.
 13. Thegame that is mentioned in claim one has as its League Colors, lime greenand royal blue.
 14. The sport that is mentioned in claim one will belongto a League with the acronym of NSL.
 15. The sport that is mentioned inclaim one will have as a League emblem a lime color circle embeddedinside the royal blue letters NSL.
 16. The sport that is mentioned inclaim one will be played by many different teams and each team will beallowed to choose its color and mascots, as long as they are morally andsocially acceptable.
 17. The sport mentioned in claim one, if a disputeoccurs during the game, the final word that settles the argument will begiven by the head referee present at the game.
 18. The sport mentionedin claim one shall have a set of 3 commissioners that will periodicallyreview every aspect of the game to keep up with the changes that mayaffect it.
 19. The sport mentioned in claim one shall require its 20.The sport mentioned in claim one will require each and every player,coach, team member etc. to have health insurance, and if applicable tobe covered by worker's compensation insurance.